Fountain marking brush



J AULD May 23, 1933.

FOUNTAIN MARKING BRUSH Filed Dec.

Hymn... :....-H :..i-m... Eijii :E::EETH 1 w E ww mw QM \w NM M .wm & \N N N Patented May 23, 1933 JOHN AULD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOUNTAIN MARKING BRUSH Application filed December 10, 1930. Serial No. 501,254.

My invention relates particularly to brushes for marking packages of merchandise with ink, and in which the tubular handle is used for storing the ink to be supplied by valvular means to the marking tip as required. One object of my invention is to provide means for forcing the flow of ink from the container tube to the marking tip as desired by the person using the brush. Another object is to provide means for drawing ink into the container tube from the exterior by suction. And another object is to provide means for preventing surplus ink ejected from the container tube from dropping on the package being marked.

On the accompanying drawing covering my invention- Fig. 1 is a plan view; Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the piston; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the brushhead- Fig. 6 is a detail view of the brush-head; Fig. 7 is an end view of the piston and valve member;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a modified form of the brush shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the handle shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The container tube is made of tubing of two sizes, as shown in Figs. 1-2, the tube 1 being threaded into the fitting 4, and also the tube 3. There is some advantage to be derived from using a tube of small diameter in the lower part of the container, because it is easily held between the fingers when marking, being grasped like a lead pencil, while the larger tubing in the upper part of the container holds a large quantity of ink without being top-heavy; furthermore, in the operation of drawing ink into the container tube by the suction means I provide there i is an advantage in connection with the expelling of air from the container tube which I will presently describe. However, I may use a single piece of tubing as a container tube. Into the lower end of the tube 3 is inserted the piston shown in Fig. 4:, which consists of a piece of tubing 5, on one end of which is the flange 6, which circumferentially engages the tube 3 so asto produce suction when the outer end of the piston is inserted in a fluid, such as ink, and the piston is moved outwardly. The tube 5 in its body is of considerably less diameter than the tube 3, the space between these tubes serving to hold the small quantity of ink which leaks past the flange 6 in the practical 160 use of the brush, such ink being held by capillary attraction between the tubes and serving as a lubricating agent for making the piston move back and forth easily in the tube 3. Threaded into the outer end of the piston tube 5 is the fitting 7, hereinafter called the valve base, which at its inner end forms a transverse wall in the tube 5, and through the valve base is the central aperture 8 for the passage of ink. The anular groove 12 in the valve base is to receive the loop 24 (shown in detail in Fig. 3) of the handle 17, Figs. 12, which is provided to operate the piston backwards and forwards in the tube 3, as presently to be explained.

I provide valvular means for co-operating with the piston in controlling the passage of ink. In Fig. 2 is shown the long stem 13 secured to the container tube 1 at the 8 end 14. In threaded engagement with the outer end of this stem is the piece of tube 10, which has the flange 11 on its inner end, which fits into the counter-sunk part 9 of the aperture 8 when the tube 10 is normally positioned in the aperture 8. The tube 10 will hereinafter be called the valve member. In part of its body the valvemember 10 closely engages with the aperture 8, thereby preventing the passage of ink through the aperture; in part of its body it is flattened on the side, as shown by the reference 3232, Figs. 1-7, so that when the piston is moved outwardly with rela- 5 tion to the valve member 10, which is stationary, the ink in the container tube comes into contact with the flattened part of the valve member 10 and is forced on the inward stroke of the piston to pass through the opening between the flat part of the valve member and the valve base 7, as shown at 3232, Fig. 7. This last description refers only to the manner of ejecting the ink from the container tube, and to bring this completely under the control of the person using the brush I provide the handle 17 Figs. 1-2. The body of the handle illustrated is a strip of metal, and to its outer end the wire 16 is secured in a holein the outwardly bent part 18 of the strip; near its outer end the wire is bent inwardly, as shown by the reference 25, and at its end is bent into the loop 24, which fits into the anular groove 12 on the valve base 7, and it can be rigidly held in this groove by solder, or the loop may be rotatable in the groove, as may be suitable in connection with the use of any of the marking tips used with my brush. In using the brush the tube 3 is grasped between the fingers near the fitting 4, and by lightly pressing the thumb or finger against the projecting part 19 on the handle, the latter is moved horizontally with relation to the tube 3, which in turn moves the piston with relation to the stationary valve member 10, thus bringing the control of ink into the hand of the operator. The finger abutment 19 is produced simply by bending the handle, but it may be otherwise produced. The handle can, of course, be moved outwardly and inwardly by the finger, but in Figs. 1 2 the handle is under spring tension produced by the coiled spring 20, which at one end is attached to the handle and at the other end is held by the hook 21, which is secured to the container by the bolt 22, this spring holding the handle and piston back in normal position, the aperture 8 thus being completely closed by the valve member 10, and when by pressure of the finger on the handle the latter is moved outwardly, the coiled spring pulls the handle and piston back to normal position upon the pressure of the finger being released, thus ejecting the ink.

From this description it is obvious that passageway for the ink through the aperture 8 can be kept open continuously by simply moving the handle outwardly from normal position and holding it t iere, which is an advantage when the brush is used with certain kinds of ink. To make the handle easily moved by an inward pressure rather than a sidewise pressure of the finger, I have given it an outwardly slanting bend, as shown by the reference 35, Fig. 2, so that it rests on the fitting 4t, hereinafter called the tilting block, at an angle, and the tilting block is sloped off forwardly at a corresponding angle, so that when the finger is lightly pressed on the handle at the bend 35 contiguous to the projection 19 the handle slides forwardly on the tilting block while the finger presses it inwardly rather than sidewise. In sloping off the tilting block as described, the lugs 2323' shown in Fig. 3 are produced, and serve to hold the handle substantially parallel with the vertical axis of the container tube. The dotted lines between these lugs in Fig. 3 indicate the slope of the tilting block described, which is also illustrated in crosssection at the inner end of the reference line 28 in Fig. 2. However, other forms of tilting block can be used.

In Figs. 12 the brush-head is shown attached to the container tube; a cap 29 is also shown in place in Figs. 12, its purpose being to exclude the air from the mark ing tip when the brush is not in use. In Fig. 6 is a detail view of the brush-head detached from the container tube, the holder 26 being a piece of tubing reinforced at one end by the ferrule 27. To give the holder and ferrule resiliency, they are cut open lengthwise, the opposing edges 33-33, of Fig. 1, of the opening being spaced apart to produce the slot 34, Figs. 15, for conducting ink to the marking tip as presently to be described. The hair marking tip 28, Fig. 6, at its butt end is set in the plug 30, which I prefer to make of fibrous material such as felt or cork. The holder 26 grasps the plug tightly, thereby preventing leakage of ink between the holder and plug; and the holder at its other end also grasps the end of the container tube tightly when sprung onto it, as shown in Figs. 12. VJ hen during a marking operation ink is ejected through the aperture 8 in the valve base 7, Figs. 1-24c, it falls into the chamber between the valve base 7 and the plug 30. By

referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the only outlet for the ink from the chamber is the slot 8d, 1-5, which conducts the ink to the marking tip; and as this slot is always on the upper side of the brush during a marking operation, ink cannot accidently drop on the package being marked unless the marking tip becomes over-satun ated. In order to prevent the ink from overflowing the slot 34, Fig. 1, at the plug 30, the latter has the channel 81, Fig. 6, in register with the slot; and to prevent the marking tip from being flooded I make the chamber above described of sutlicient capacity to hold the ink ejected by the piston at a single stroke, so that this ink may be gradually conducted to the marking tip as the latter is seen to require it by simply changing the angle at which the brush is held by the marker, thus causing ink to pass through the slot gradually to the marking tip without flooding the latter.

In Fig. 8 modifications are shown of the brush-head and handle in Figs. 12. The handle 86 is made of wire, bent as shown in Fig. 9, in which the loop 89 is for encircling the container tube 3, Fig. 8, the projection i0 serving as an abutment for the finger when moving the handle outwardly. The brushhead shown in Fig. 8 comprises the tubular holder 41 having the same lengthwise slot through its side as the holder 26, as shown by reference 31, Fig. l, the plug 45, the bunch of hair at set in the plug, the reinforcing ferrule 42 sweated with solder onto the end of the holder and having the flange L8, and the coiled spring 4E7. The holder 41 is resilient and when sprung onto the container tube 3 grasps the latter tightly; the coiled spring 47 presses at one end against the outer end of the piston at 7 yieldingly holding the latter in normal position with relation to the valve member 10, which at its inner end 11 then closes the aperture in the valve base 7 at its other end the coiled spring presses against the plug 45, and as this is mounted loosely in the holder 41 and is preferably made of cork or other springy material, the pressure of the coiled spring on the plug causes the latter to engage closely against the flange 43, thereby preventing the ink expelled by the piston into the chamber between the piston and the plug from leaking between the plug and the flange, all the ink being conducted to the hair tip by the slot 3%. The brush-heads shown in Figs. 12-68 are interchangeable, but when the style shown in Fig. 8 is used, the coiled spring 20, Figs. 12, is omitted, the coiled spring 4L7, Fi 8, serving to hold the piston yieldingly in normal position with relation to the valve member 10. I purposely adapt the brush-head shown in Fig. 8 for marketing as a separate part, or refill, frictional engagement with the holder keeping the sprlng in place, this engagement being releasedby a slight expansion of the holder on being sprung onto the container tube. I do not, however, wish it to be understood here that the brush-heads hereinbefore described are the only brush-heads or marking tips that can be used with the improved container and piston mechanism herein shown; in fact, in the drawing I have purposely provided for the use of different brush-heads and marking tips. For instance, by referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the valve member 10 is threaded onto the stem 13; obviously the valve member 10 can be made shorter so that the outer end of the stem 13 will extend outwardly beyond the valve member, and onto this part of the stem can be threaded a marking tip or brush-head (not shown). Then, again, the outer end of the valve base 7, Figs. 2-4-, is purposely of sufficient length to be threaded to receive a marking tip or brush-head on its exterior. So that, as to the brush-head and marking tip, the drawing is only illustrative. v

Ink is drawn into the container tube by inserting the piston in ink and pushing it outwardly. The suction is produced by the flange 6, Fig. 4 being in close contact with the container tube 3, Figs. 2-8, and by another agency presently to be described. After much experimentation the greatest advantage residing in the suction feature of the brush appears to be its peculiar adequacy in cleaning out clogging matter deposited in the piston end around the aperture 8, Fig. 4-. The sediment of the ordinary marking ink is gum-my, and unless constantly removed from the valve parts, which are in the interior of the brush, eventually produces clogging. This objectionable feature is overcome in the brush illustrated here. The ink itself is a very satisfactory agent for washing out the sediment, assisted by the valve member 10, which on each outward stroke of the piston remains stationary and on each inward stroke of the piston enters the aperture 8 and pushes out clogging matter. In performing this operation, the brush-head is detached from the container tube and laid aside; then, holding the container tube in one hand, the handle of the piston is grasped at 19, Fig. 2, or at 40, Fig. 8, with the fingers of the other hand and the piston moved forwards and backwards rapidly, with the result just described, thus making it unnecessary to disassemble the valve parts for cleaning, which feature is one of the important advantages of the brush. Several further advantageous features reside in the suction mechanism shown in Figs. 28, in which the piston tube 5 is shown to be spaced away from the container tube 3. The space between these two tubes holds some ink, which clings to the tubes. This ink materially aids in prevent ing air from entering the container tube around the flange 6, Figs. 2-8, particularly when the latter gets worn by use. Furthermore, the space between the two tubes serves as a well for catching and retainin loose ink received from the outer end of the piston when the brush is up-ended after a valve-cleaning or suction operation, thus preventing such loose ink from passing onto the exterior of the container tube 3. Obviously the outer end of the tube 3 can be expanded circumferentially so as to more readily receive and retain the loose ink just mentioned, and while this modification is not illustrated I have it in mind as an advantage under certain conditions. Some ink for marking purposes can be drawn into the container tube shown by a single outward stroke of the piston; but as I prefer to make the container tube 3 of very small diameter soasto be easily grasped between the fingers, I provide for completely filling the ink container by pouring the ink in after removing the screw-cap 2, Figs. 1 2. For drawing ink into the container by repeated strokes of the piston, the structure of container shownis advantageous because when the container is tilted upwardly after each outward stroke of the piston the ink just drawn in drops into the side of the large tube 1, Figs. l2, and the piston can then be drawn inwardly to normal position without causing the ink in tube 1 to be expelled by the outgoing air.

It is not my intention to limit the scope of my invention to the exact constructions and arrangements shown in the drawing, as changes can be made therein vi hout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is.

1. In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, a tubular piston in said container tube, said piston being apertured at its outer end and adapted to move longitudinally in the container tube and at its inner end being provided with an outwardly projecting flange engaging circumferentially with the container tube whereby outward movement of the piston when its outer end is inserted in ink causes the ink to be drawn into the container tube, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the container tube for moving the piston longitudinally, and valvular means associated with the piston for controlling the passage of ink from the container tube to the exterior.

2. In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, a piston in said tube, said piston being adapted to move longitudinally in the tube and having an opening therethrough for the passage of ink from the tube to the exterior, a stationary valve member engaging against said opening to pre vent the passage of ink therethrough when the piston is in normal position with relation to the valve member, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the tube to move the piston longitudinally and thereby disengage the valve member suificiently from the opening through the piston to per mit the passage of ink through said opening, said handle at its inner end being slanted outwardly with relation to the tube, and a projecting part on the tube in register with the outwardly slanted inner end of the handle whereby pressure of the linger on the slanted end of the handle causes the latter to slide forward on said projecting part, thereby moving the piston longitudinally in the tube.

3. In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, a tubular piston in said container tube, said piston being apertured at its outer end and at its inner end being pro vided with an outwardly projecting flange engaging circumferentially with the container tube whereby outward movement of the piston when its outer end is inserted in ink causes the ink to be drawn into the container tube by suction, and said piston outwardly of the flange being spaced away from the container tube thereby providing a Well between the piston and the container tube for catching and retaining loose ink received from the outer end of the piston when the latter is up-ended, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the container tube for moving the piston, and valvular means associated with the piston for controlling the passage of ink from the container tube to the exterior.

4. In a fountain marking brush, a container tube, means at one end of the tube for controlling the flow of ink from the interior of the tube to the exterior, said means in cluding a piston mounted in the end of the tube and adapted to move longitudinally therein and to press against the ink when moved inwardly, said piston having an opening therethrough for the passageof ink outwardly and being provided with an outwardly extending annular flange engaging circumferentially with the tube to prevent ink from passing between the piston and the tube, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the tube for moving the piston longitudinally, and spring means for causing the piston to return to normal position when moved longitudinally.

5. In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, means at one end of the tube for controlling the flow of ink from the interior of the tube to the exterior, said means including a piston mounted in the end of the tube and adapted to move longitudinally therein and to press against the ink when moved inwardly, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the tube for moving the piston longitudinally, the handle at its inner end being slanted outwardly with re lation to the tube, a projecting part on the tube in register with the outwardly slanted inner end of the handle whereby pressure of the finger on the slanted end oi the handle causes the latter to slide .forward on said projecting part thereby moving the piston longitudinally in the tube, and spring means for causing the piston to return to normal position when moved longitudinally.

6. In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, a piston in the end of said tube, said piston being adapted to move longitudinally in the tube and having an opening therethrough for the passage of ink from the tube to the exterior, a stationary valve member engaging against saic. opening to prevent the passage of ink therethrough when the piston is in normal position with relation to the valve member, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the tube to move the piston longitudinally and piston in normal position in the container thereby disengage the valve member sufiioiently from the opening through the piston to permit the passage of ink through said opening, and a brush-head detachably secured to the end of said tube contiguous to the piston, said brush-head including a tubular holder and a marking tip mounted in the outer end of the holder, said holder having a lengthwise opening through its side adapted to conduct ink from the outer end of the piston to the marking tip.

7 In a fountain marking brush, an ink container tube, a piston in one end of said container tube, said piston being adapted to move longitudinally in the container tube and having an opening therethrough for the passage of ink from the container tube to the exterior, a stationary valve member engaging against said opening to prevent the passage of ink therethrough when the piston is in normal position with'relation to the valve member, a handle extending from the outer end of the piston backwardly along the exterior of the container tube to move the piston longitudinally and thereby disengage the valve member sufiiciently from the opening through the piston to permit the passage of ink therethrough, a tubular holder adapted at its inner end to de tachably embrace the container tube adjacent to the outer end of the piston, said holder being slotted lengthwise through its side and having an inwardly turned flange at its outer end, a marking tip mounted in the outer end of the holder, said marking tip comprising a plug abutting at its outer end against said flange and adapted for inktight engagement therewith, and a bunch of hair secured at its inner end in said plug and extending outwardly in the form of a brush, and a compression spring positioned in the holder between the plug and the piston, one end of the spring pressing the plug against the flange and the other end of the spring yieldingly holding the piston in normal position with relation to the valve member.

8. A brush-head for fountain marking brushes, comprising a tubular holder having a lengthwise slot through its side and an inwardly projecting flange at one end thereof, a plug in the end of the holder, said plug abutting at its outer end against the flange, a bunch of hair set in the plug and extending outwardly therefrom in the form of a brush, and a coiled spring mounted in the holder inwardly of the plug for pressing the latter against the flange, said holder at its other end being adapted to detachably telescope with the end of the container tube of a fountain marking brush adjacent to the piston therein, and said spring at its inner end being adapted to yieldingly hold the tube.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this eighth day of December, 1930.

JOHN AULD. 

